The Top 10 Home Trends for Fall, According to Designers

Written by

Kelsey Mulvey
Kelsey Mulvey
Kelsey Mulvey is a lifestyle editor and writer. She has written for publications like Wall Street Journal, Business Insider, Wallpaper.com, New York Magazine, and more.
published Sep 19, 2018
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(Image credit: Lauren Kolyn)

Yves Saint Laurent famously said, “Fashions fade, style is eternal.” Sure, trends come and go, but they’re pretty important to fashion, art, music, and, of course, design.

Keeping up with trends not only allows you to see society through a beautiful, artful lens, it can help you gain a better understanding of a designer’s inspiration. Plus, bringing the biggest trends to your home will keep your space relevant and Insta-worthy.

What’s in store for fall? 15 designers weigh in on the trends they think will make it big this season.

1. In Living Color

(Image credit: Home Ec. LLC)

“I think people are tiring of neutral and muted color schemes and are looking to use bolder color—in either traditional or modern interiors—to enliven their spaces.” Perry Sayles, interior designer

“Bold, autumnal hues are perfect for any room. Consider using Pantone’s fall 2018 colors—Martini Olive, Valiant Poppy, Red Pear, and Quetzal Green—for a cozy yet dramatic look.” —Kristen Ekeland, co-founder of Studio Gild

2. Fringed Benefits

“One design trend we’re really excited about is fringe. You’ve already seen it popping up in fashion on earrings and blouses, but you’ll see this technique applied to lamps and furniture as well.” —Melissa Benham, co-founder of Studio Gild

3. Updated Greenery

(Image credit: Marie-Lyne Quirion)

“Switching from a succulent to a moss arrangement, or fiddle leaf fig tree to an olive tree makes all the difference. [You can also swap] lighter accent containers like woven baskets for heavier accents like antique stone.” —Shannon Wollack and Brittany Zwickl, co-founders of Studio Life.Style

4. Back to Black

(Image credit: Minette Hand)

“The combination of dusty pink and black is making a strong resurgence. For example, a lovely blush wall with metal black bookcases, tables, and light fixtures. The pink is understated and the black offers a nice juxtaposition that gives the space impact.” —Susan Petrie, principal of Petrie Point Designs

“I think black furniture is going to be a big color trend in 2019. It offsets the millennial pink and pastels trend, giving it sharp sophistication. When paired with with warm neutrals and mid toned woods it provides just enough edginess to keep a space balanced.” —Maggie Cruz, interior designer

5. Au Naturale

(Image credit: Elissa Crowe)

“I think we’re going to see an increase in the use of pared-back furniture and materials. A focus on unfinished woods with lots of visible grain and gorgeous patinas versus glossy, painted surfaces. I think we’ll see this trend in furniture as a way to add warmth to the rise of mid blue-gray hues that are popular in paint right now.” —Will Taylor, founder of Bright.Bazaar

6. All That Jazz

“I predict a rise in scallop and fan shaped patterns. Look for Art Deco references, from tile, to textiles, and everything in between.” Jean Liu, interior designer

“Keep an eye out for furniture and accessories that mimic the hallmarks of Art Deco architecture. Bold and dramatic, these pieces sport geometric patterns and sophisticated curves, and are often rendered in brass or other luxurious materials.” —Alessandra Wood, interior design expert and director of style at Modsy

7. Pattern Play

(Image credit: Alicia Macias)

“Printed wallpapers are on the rise this fall. Expect to see an abundance of botanicals, animal prints, and bold patterns showcased in both residential and commercial spaces. This trend provides a great way to add interest to any atmosphere.” Ivy Jacques, interior designer

“Geometric and mod wallpaper in colors like reds, blues, and even some jewel tones. This complements mid-century pieces that are popular right now.” —Kita Marie Williams, CEO and lead designer of KMW Interiors

8. The Gilded Age

(Image credit: Marisa Vitale)

“Metallics were once reserved for the holiday season. Now they’re illuminating tables year-round. The fresh approach emerging this fall is toning down high-shine silver and yellow gold with burnished tones, such as gunmetal and brass. A little shimmer goes a long way.” —Sandy Chilewich, founder and creative director of Chilewich

9. Meet in the Middle

(Image credit: Aimée Mazzenga)

“People are in a constant state of identity flux; they are considering their personalities as more fluid, more faceted than one categorical type that fits within a set box–and their design eye also reflects that new personal fluidity. That’s the essence of my new collection for Arteriors. Each piece is architectural enough to stand alone as a statement, but they can also meld together into a compelling assemblage that is anything but boilerplate.”Windsor Smith, interior designer

10. Soft to the Touch

(Image credit: Lauren Kolyn)

“A timeless material that continues to be on the rise, velvet, adds a luxurious warmth and texture to a room. Velvet is a fabric that wants to be bold—think statement pieces like couches and chairs in rich fall colors like royal blue, deep teal, maroon, or forest green.” —Elizabeth Brown, CEO of Viyet

“The velvet furniture craze will continue to grow–from sofas and chaises to pillows and chairs. We’ll see the use of richer hues incorporated for Fall 2018 to include Pantone’s color picks.” —Jennie Bishop, co-founder of Studio Gild